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The other night, I spent twenty minutes in the beer aisle at Kroger paralyzed. A classmate was throwing a post finals ugly sweater party, and I wanted to get beer that would be in my budget but also respectable. That is when I realized I no longer bought beer based on what I wanted.
If I were buying based on what I wanted, I would have gone with a tried and true Bud Light. I love craft beer as much as the next person, but sometimes it’s just a Bud Light kind of night. Finals were over and my goal was to get shitty. I knew I would only taste the first few beers anyways if I bought “good beer.” I wanted nothing more than to get a light beer made for chugging and hammer them back until I forgot everything I spent the prior three weeks trying to drill into my memory. A few years ago, I would have never second guessed that decision, but times have changed.
Going from a small state school to a private law school was a huge transition, but I never considered the different standard in alcohol among my peers. Even when they throw a kegger it is always from a local brewery instead of the Natty Light I had come to expect from all kegs at that point. I knew that if I were to get my beloved Bud Light I would be judged and mocked the entire night for not bringing real beer.
On this eventful Tuesday night, I had a choice: do I buy beer for me, or do I buy it for those around me? And not in the same way that I used to drop of a cube of Keystone at the frat house. In the end, I chose a 12 pack of “good beer” that cost as much as a case of Bud Light. Did it taste good? Yeah. Was my next morning not as awful because I only had half as many beers? Most likely, but with craft beers it’s hard to be sure. Am I a little disappointed in myself for not following my heart? You bet.
Hopefully, one day I will have the courage and strength of will to stand up to the double IPA drinking crowd by drinking light beers irresponsibly fast again. I simply long for the days when a beer run was simple, and there was no pressure to conform. I know I can’t be the only one..
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Respond
Law Schooler
A Tennessee native. Who strongly believes in traditional American values AKA making money.
Beer snobs are the worst. If you’re going to complain about someone’s beer they brought for you to drink, then just don’t fucking drink it and let everyone else enjoy it. Or drink it and don’t bitch about it. It’s not like drinking a Bud or Sam Adams is going to give you cancer; suck it up buttercup, life could be worse.
Also, the kind of people who will judge you for the beer you bring or drink aren’t people you need in your life. End rant.
Sup?
Hey 😉
I love me some craft beer (and can’t remember the last time I bought domestic light beer for my home fridge), but I have never once in my life been disappointed when I roll into a party and there’s just a keg of Coors/Bud/Keystone/Busch/etc. in the corner.
You should have bought Hamm’s and forced them to drink it.
If someone doesn’t want to drink the Hamm’s I bring, I don’t want to give them a beer anyways.
As the great Karl Welzein once said, “They should sell a 12 pack with 4 Sam Adams & 8 Bud Lights. Tasties to start and domestos for smooth sailin’ home. Call it ‘The Professional.'”
You guys have convinced me I’ll go with the Bud Light next time
The go-to for BYOB is Sam Adams. But if I’m feeling it, I’ll buy Rolling Rock and give zero fucks what others think.
Sam Adams *insert seasonal beer here* is the best cheap but good taste beer to bring to anything like this
I’d say the same about Shiner Bock. Not sure about other regions but in TX its priced at $13 a 12 pack.
This was the most depressing article I have read on here. I never think twice about grabbing or ordering Bud Light.
Just buy the bud light and face chug them
Always drink what you want. I used to have the same fear but I just said fuck it and now bring budweiser to any house party. Also, when everyone runs out of their much more expensive 6-packs they’ll come right to you and ask if they can dip into your case. They’re not better’n you
Can confirm, am dirty yuppie who finished off my Brooklyn lager and then asked for someone else’s Coors (or two) at the last party I was at.
Who cares what other people think? They don’t like my beer? Then more for me!
Drink what you want because you’re an adult and can make your own decisions. If someone is going to legit hate on you for your drink of choice then they are a terrible person and you’re better off with not talking to them